Find us elsewhere
Join Now Member Login

existing product

 
New Topic
Post Reply
Follow Topic
Page of 1
  • Author
  • Message
 
yort

posts: 4

May 10, 2009 9:33 PM ET    Quote  Report Abuse
Points: 0   Vote

My product is is an improvement to an existing. Do i take my idea to that particular company with my idea or do i file a provisional patent?



-------------------------

yort
nevadascul

posts: 651

May 11, 2009 9:33 PM ET    Quote  Report Abuse
Points: 0   Vote
File for a patent to protect your rights.  To get a patent though, your devise will have to be a substantial improvement over the existing unit.  The patent office will make that determination.

-------------------------

The older we get, the more excuses we make for not chasing after our dreams. But truth is, goals are attainable at any age.
SARGENT

posts: 4

May 12, 2009 8:45 AM ET    Quote  Report Abuse
Points: 0   Vote
YOU START WITH A PATENT SEARCH (THEY ONLY RUN AROUND $475)
i would not talk to anyone about this till you have secured your rights,a provisional patent will do this.
 
It gives you a year to improve or file utility,  Be warned its not cheap !
 .
 
yort

posts: 4

May 12, 2009 9:10 AM ET    Quote  Report Abuse
Points: 0   Vote
thanks sargent. Do i speak to an attorney about a patent search ?

-------------------------

yort
patentandtrademark

posts: 1332

May 12, 2009 9:26 AM ET    Quote  Report Abuse
Points: 0   Vote
speak with a patent lawyer - expect to pay said patent lawyer.  The "free" 1/2 hour consultations that are thrown around on this forum are worth what you pay for them.
 


-------------------------

James Lindon, Ph.D. Patent Attorney
Lindon & Lindon, LLC
Cleveland, Ohio
Patents, Trademarks, Copyrights, Pharmacy Law, Litigation
[this is not legal advice - provided for discussion only]
Intellectual Property for the Individual and Small Business: Identify, Protect, Enforce, Defend.
"Fools rush in where angels fear to tread."
http://www.LindonLaw.com
SARGENT

posts: 4

May 12, 2009 9:33 AM ET    Quote  Report Abuse
Points: 0   Vote
yes contact a patent attorney -get a signed confidentiality agreement before you disclose any information.
I use LITMAN LAW OFFICES LTD.
You can use any firm (JUST CHECK THEM OUT FIRST !!)
TigerTaco

posts: 337

May 12, 2009 2:41 PM ET    Quote  Report Abuse
Points: 0   Vote
Yeah, well ... first of all the "you get what you pay for" and "BE AFRAID" are such basic and predictable pieces of "advise" that it`s not worth getting into it here; but do understand that SuN is a site of Entrepreneurs first and foremost and that`s the spirit of making things happen yourself (and yes sometimes it means you actually do things, or at least what you can, before you start dropping the big bucks, like the big boys/companies, on what you can`t handle).
 
Get to know the "horse`s mouth" ... spend time on the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office Site and learn what you can about what you are asking; ignorance is deadly and very costly vs. taking the time to get a basic feel for the complexity of your question(s) ... only you know what is really in your mind and the better you`re able to articulate/disclose (when it`s time) the better you will be able to invest the needed dollars into your I.P. when the time comes.
 
You can do your own searches (true you might make mistakes, but then you may also discover in short order that your idea is already "done" and you can get on with your next idea without having spent a cent): http://patft.uspto.gov/ ... where you can search what`s online with them.
 
You can find a list of all the Agents and Attorneys who are licensed to practice before the USPTO here: https://oedci.uspto.gov/OEDCI/ ... do consider an agent vs. a full blown lawyer as they are cheaper (yeah you get what you pay for and you need to decide on how much protection you need and can afford) but still better than doing it all by yourself (which you can certainly do).
 
Understand that as an "inventor" you are the primary target and revenue stream of whole groups of people and businesses ... they exist to provide you with goods and services; they make money right up front regardless of anything else ... money you`ve already said you don`t have, or at least wisely don`t have to toss into a "hunch" on a potential improvement and all that jazz.
 
Going back to your "original question":  Yes, patents can be assigned to improvements (and there is a wide swath here so be aware of how someone can also improve upon your improvement; and know there are economic considerations and/or claims involved in manufacturing and selling something with multiple claimants on the parts and all that jazz).
 
Yes you should go to the "existing manufacturer" ... or someone like them as what you are really trying to do is make money off of something you have no intention of actually building and selling yourself ... this is called licensing ... how you approach them and why and all kinds of fun things are all over the web, but one site where the cool kids hang out is "InventRight" ... point being is how an idea has no value until it`s made/sold and someone already in the business is much more likely to "do it" as all their costs are lower for obvious reasons.  (Oh, and you should "do" the SuN "5 Steps to Creating and Licensing an Invention")
 
Anyway, I`m rambling on here and wasn`t going to post at all ... I`m not a lawyer (the only one on SuN I know of is about as helpful as tits on a boar) so please do understand I`m not trying to sell/push you anywhere and opinions are just to let you know that not everyone does what was posted above and in the end of things it comes down to what you want, can afford, and your stomach for risk ... ah, that`s kind of what`s required of Entrepreneurs in general.
 
Have fun and do post back what/where you go with your product.


-------------------------

Chris Miller, a simple taco maker:
The Tiger Taco home in the U.S.A.
Tiger Tacos in Australia
Tiger Tacos in the United Kingdom
ayliss

posts: 20

Nov 22, 2011 2:43 AM ET    Quote  Report Abuse
Points: 0   Vote

Tout comme la période antérieure, de nombreux designers créatifs peuvent faire leurs propres la majorité des fonctions adorables ainsi que de fournir inspirations individus en tant qu'individus style incroyable peut sac de marque essentiellement mis sur tout les 12 mois 2010. Quelques-uns des développements que vous devez savoir ont tendance à être comme le plus élevé de chaussures, une blouse à épaulettes, sculpté jeans, etc. En suivant un programme de recherche plus, tout le monde appara?tra d'une personne parce que le setter Montre Rolex motif.Il ya eu grande poussée ainsi que pousser pauvres concernant ces types de styles et quelques arriver à être vraiment discutable. Par exemple, le problème la solution de Sacs Chloe Victoria a connu en utilisant l'iconographie bouddhiste, ils ont choisi d'imprimer sur le tankini, avait été appuyant sur le couvercle trop réelle pour toute la maison de style. Cependant rapportés par Moncler doudoune les utilisateurs fait la promotion pauvres est réellement grande promotion, donc le résultat a été la vente de produits beaucoup plus à l'appui de ces gens qui travaillent avec une solution bottes ugg de Victoria peut s'en rendre compte. Le tankini réelle est effectivement transporté par de grandes marques bien connues qui ont offert à l'égard de 2500 $ simplement pour un seul maillot doudoune Moncler de bain jusqu'aux réalité moins de 10 $, donc les options semblent être illimités.



-------------------------

Page of 1
Post Reply
 
.
Advertisement

Keep the Community Clean!

  • StartupNation forums should be used as a platform to learn, educate others, share stories, tips & tricks and to provide constructive feedback.
  • Please do not use the Forums for advertising & blatant self-promotion.
  • Please be respectful to other members and refrain from personal attacks and vulgar language.
  • StartupNation reserves the right to delete any message, reply, and/or member who violates our terms of use.
Read full terms of use
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement